Knoxville Chamber Members Win National Award
Blue Ribbon Winners Eligible for U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year
Three Knoxville Chamber members have been selected as 2010 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The honorees are Construction Plus, Knowledge Launch, and Prestige Cleaners.
"We're thrilled to have these members recognized nationally," says Mike Edwards, president & CEO of the Knoxville Chamber. "These three companies are representative of all the terrific small businesses that exist in the Knoxville Innovation Valley region."
The Knoxville Chamber nominated 14 local businesses for the U.S. Chamber Small Business Awards program - 11 companies applied. All nominees were past winners of a Knoxville Chamber Pinnacle Business Award and met the U.S. Chamber's criteria.
The 75 national Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners are now eligible to be named as finalists for the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award. Seven Blue Ribbon businesses will be named finalists - one from each region - on March 15. The grand prizewinner will be announced by the U.S. Chamber at the America's Small Business Summit on May 18, and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
To participate in the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Awards program businesses were required to have fewer than 250 employees and gross revenues of less than $20 million in 2008. Applicants were judged on staff training and motivation, community involvement, customer service, and business strategies and goals.
"The Blue Ribbon Small Businessaward is about more than recognizing financially successful businesses. It's about honoring those that show a commitment to their employees, sound business practices, and bettering their communities," says Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO.
Community Excellence Award
The Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners are also competing for the U.S. Chamber's Community Excellence Award. The Community Excellence Award is designed to highlight a small business that demonstrates excellence-in the eyes of its community, customers, and employees.
Running a successful business is often about making and maintaining strong relationships, something that cannot be clearly depicted in a business plan. One company will receive this award based on the number of online votes received. Polls opened today - Monday, March 1 - and close Friday, March 12 at 5:00 pm EST. Votes may be cast at www.uschambersummit.com/cea-award.
Free Enterprise Honorees
In addition to the Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners, 25 businesses were namedFree Enterprise Honoreesfor their strong business practices and contributions to the economy.ES&H, Inc. and NetGain Corporation are the Knoxville area businesses that received this recognition.